Matthew’s Comments (group member since Mar 08, 2015)

Matthew’s comments from the Reading List Completists group.

Discuss the July 2017 Journey Poll winner here

Totally embarrassed! This just was a co-winner of the big read poll, but it was also a poll winner in 2015. Boy, is my face red!

Well, guess we will go ahead and read this again July through Sept - maybe I will actually read it this time - as it seems like no one else noticed either!

Simone wrote: "I feel the same. I trod through it with real difficulty, especially after the jump in the timeline and the new titles of the old characters (I had to search through the book to find out who was married to whom). Unfortunately so far there hasn't yet been an attentio-grabbing moment to really kick off the reading. "

It is weird, because every time I start to get into it, there is a chapter or two that manages to make it a bit of a chore again. I do continue to enjoy, but so far it is not the full 5 star experience I have heard about from others.

Some of the revenge coming to fruition!

I am not sure why, but I had this book on our "Read" shelf, not "Currently Reading". Moved it now!

Anyone out there reading this at the moment?

I re-read it recently as I remembered liking it, but it had been over 20 years since the last time. I wanted to re-read before I read the sequel. It was still a great book. And, I liked the sequel, which it seemed like generally people did not.

This book is very, very twisted and confusing. Good, but, man! Keeping up at times is tough!

Book starts today!

I like the "Not suitable for children" in the movie poster below:

This most recent section reads like the movie clue:

No worries! The start date is just a suggestion and the discussions stay open for forever! :)

The plot is kicking into a new gear - some interesting stuff about the Villefort estate and will going on. More of the Count's scheming for sure!

Discuss our June 2017 selection here

Okay - just finished chapter 50! The last 200 to 300 pages or so where not quite as enthralling as the first 200 to 300 pages. But still enjoying it!

I am going to read The Morrel Family tonight! Then . . . it is on to the next discussion thread!

Click here for the Goodreads summer reading list

This is the basis for our June 2017 poll

Simone wrote: "How are you guys doing? I reached chapter 51. The Rome and Paris chapters weren't a joy to read through. I fear even more confusion in all the different characters and their extended families but w..."

Hey Simone! I am not sure which chapter I am at, but I must be nearing 50!

Yeah, I am a bit mired in the spot you are talking about, but not too bad. I think the problem I am having is that I am having a hard time telling if the timeline is straightforward. I feel like there might be some flashing back to things we know already or flashing forward to things we don't.

Part of this started with the execution scene - I felt like we should know more about why the Count was so pleased. Like, I was missing some backstory. And, maybe I did miss it - but I thought I was keeping up with everything. I keep thinking they will go back and explain that later.

I read this back in 2015 - but I will be keeping my eye on the discussion!

Here is my review from back then:

Click for my review

Starts today!

The book has definitely taken a change in direction with the stories of Rome. Its almost like it should have been divided into a Book II a few chapters ago instead of continuing with the same chapter progression.

Discuss our May 2017 selection here

Daniel wrote: "Chapter 50: The Morrel family
Chapter 100: The Apparition

I got this from the list of chapters here (in case 50 and 100 were cut out of the abridged version): http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1184/1..."

Thanks

I just realized I read Carol's message wrong - she just wanted chapter 50 and 100 - I thought she wanted a list of all the chapters!